Powder compartment for high dosage drug delivery

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, comprising at least an inhaler bodyand a cartridgewith at least one powder compartmentincluding one dose of a drug. The body has an openingshaped for receiving the cartridgeand the means to allow a controlled sliding movement of the cartridgerelative to the bodyafter mounting. The cartridge powder compartmentcomprises at least two inlets or slits, at least one of which is a side inlet, for the admission of air, and a compartment outletto allow filling and fluid communication with an inhalation channelprovided in the body. In use, the patient slides the cartridgerelative to the bodyfrom the storage position, where the inlets in the cartridge powder compartmentare blocked and sealed by walls comprised in the body, into the inhalation position, where the compartment inlets become available for the admission of air used in the dispersion of the particles there contained and the compartment outletbecomes aligned with the inhalation channelin the bodyto allow the entrainment of the dose dispersed through the device and into the desired site of action during inhalation. The addition of one or more lateral ventsin the cartridge powder compartments induces a turbulent and swirling flow pattern that promotes improved dispersion and entrainment. The invention affords a very economical and simple device for the delivery of high dosages of inhaled medicines.